Personal Immigration

UK Ancestry Visa Application Guidance

Ancestry visas are designed to enable commonwealth citizens with one grandparent born in the UK to come to the UK in order to work.

Ancestry visa: Main requirements
Applicants must demonstrate that:

  • they are over 17 years of age;
  • they are a commonwealth citizen;
  • they are applying from outside the UK;
  • they have a job in the UK or they are genuinely intending to find a job in the UK;
  • they have enough money without help from public funds to support and house themselves and any dependants.

Applicants must also be able to prove that one of their grandparents:

  • was born in the UK; or
  • was born before 31 March 1922 in what is now the Republic of Ireland; or
  • was born on a British-registered ship or aircraft.

Length and conditions of stay in the UK
Applicants can apply to come to the UK for an initial period of five years. The visa allows them to work and study and family members can also accompany them. Access to public funds is not permitted. Applicants can apply to extend this visa for a further five years.

Indefinite Leave to Remain
An application for Indefinite Leave to Remain can be made once an applicant has held an Ancestry visa for at least five years. In order to be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain, an applicant must demonstrate that they have met the requirements listed above and demonstrate that:

  • they have spent a continuous period of five years in the UK;
  • they have sufficient knowledge of English language and have passed a Life in the UK test; and
  • they have not breached UK immigration law.

Ancestry visa applications: How we can help
The Home Office will carefully scrutinise an application for an Ancestry visa. If it considers that the applicant is not genuinely seeking work or if it considers that any of the other requirements have not been met, the application will fall for refusal. It is therefore essential that the application is prepared thoroughly and carefully.

We are experienced in preparing Ancestry applications to ensure a successful outcome and will provide expert guidance and assistance to you throughout the process.

If you require legal assistance or would just like to discuss your situation with one of our experts on a no-obligation basis, please contact us.